Records: Teen accused in massive Hamilton warehouse fire violated juvenile probation 16 times

A teen accused of setting a fire that consumed a Hamilton warehouse on July 25 has been before a Butter County Juvenile Court judge multiple times dating back to 2015, according to court records.

Prosecutors say they intend to request the teen facing multiple charges, including aggravated arson, be tried as an adult. The boy, who will be 18 tomorrow, was in juvenile court today for a pre-trial hearing.

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In August 2015, the teen was charged with receiving stolen property by the West Chester Police Department. The teen was placed on probation, given a stay away order, told to make restitution and given 12 hours of community service.

The teen’s probation was violated on that charge in November 2015 and February 2015.

West Chester Police charged the teen with misdemeanor criminal trespass and criminal damaging in March 2016. He stayed in the Butler County Juvenile Detention Center for 15 days and was placed on probation and given a $10 fine plus court costs.

Since March 2016, the teen has received 13 probation violations that have sent him back to JDC multiple times, and placed him on house arrest multiple time. He was also charged with truancy by Hamilton City Schools in February 2017.

A pre-trial hearing was set for Sept. 3. He will remain housed in the county juvenile detention center until the next hearing.

According to juvenile court documents, the teen trespassed at 999 Laurel Avenue with the intention of committing a crime, and once inside, he started a fire that not only caused damage to the unoccupied structure but damaged six other houses that were occupied at 4:45 a.m.

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